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2.
Spring 2018 - Adddendum to 2017 Stakeholder Engagement Activity Report3
1.1 Reason for this Addendum
The environmental scan report “Identifying and Prioritizing Stakeholder Needs in Neurodevelopmental Conditions
in Canada” was published in the Spring of 2017, and included a list of 44 stakeholder-identified needs based
on a qualitative study conducted during 2016/17. The 44 needs identified by the qualitative interviews with
stakeholders (policymakers, practitioners and parents), were voted on by 25 stakeholders during an in-person
meeting held in Vancouver on January 18, 2017. While the regional consultation in Vancouver provided detailed
information on how to begin to address the top 10 of these 44 needs1
, the voting exercise with this small local
sample did not provide the pan-Canadian perspective necessary to inform KBHN decision-making and strategic
planning. Therefore, using a similar format to the in-person consultation voting process2
, we provided diverse
stakeholders3
with the opportunity to vote for their top priorities using an online survey-based adaptation. This
addendum provides an update to the previously published Spring 2017 stakeholder needs report by documenting
the findings from our national online stakeholder prioritization survey (see the List of Appendices for summary
data tables, surveys, and full data tables).
4 Please consult the full Spring 2017 Environmental Scan report (see: https://www.slideshare.net/NeuroDevNet/identifying-and-prioritizing-stakeholder-needs-in-
neurodevelopmental-conditions-in-canada) for full articulation and explanation of the needs, as the summary tables presented in this addendum provide a
truncated representation of each need/focus area.
1 Poetz, Phipps, Ross (2017). Identifying and Prioritizing Stakeholder Needs in Neurodevelopmental Conditions in Canada. Report. 1-118.
2 Each attendee received 14 dot stickers, and were instructed to place either one sticker (vote) on 14 different needs, or all 14 stickers (votes) on one need if they felt
strongly about it, or any combination in between.
3 Anyone directly or indirectly affected by the neurodevelopmental conditions: Cerebral Palsy, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorders.
1.2 Data Collection & Analysis
The 44 stakeholder-identified needs were placed into an online survey format (see Appendices B, C, D) using
REDCap software because it is the software available through KBHN. Ethics approval was obtained on
April 28, 2017 through York University and participants were recruited to fill out the anonymous online survey
through KBHN’s website and social media channels, as well as targeted email outreach to organizations across
Canada until the survey was closed on October 31, 2017. Initially, two versions of the survey were distributed:
the originally worded English list of 44 needs and the French translation of it. We worked with a community
organization to produce a plain language version of the survey, at the request of a few organizations.
The final survey data were downloaded from REDCap into an excel file on November 2, 2017. The total number
of responses received was n=688 (545 original English survey, 9 French survey, 134 plain language English
survey). After cleaning the data there were 656 analyzable responses (see Table 1). Table 1 illustrates how the
data regarding stakeholder type, as identified by survey respondents, were categorized before analysis.
1.3 Results & Conclusion
The results of the online prioritization survey are described in summary tables4
in Appendix A. These tables
provide self-explanatory highlights of the findings in multiple ways. Table 1.3.1 contains an overall summary of
results and top 10 priorities among all survey respondents, Table 1.3.2 represents high and low priorities that
are similar across all stakeholder types, Table 1.3.3 shows the top 10 and bottom 10 priorities for each of ASD,
FASD, CP and 1.3.4 the top 10 and bottom 10 priorities by stakeholder type. Dividing the data by stakeholder
type enables comparison within and across priorities, providing insight such as differences between researcher’s
priorities and those of parents and/or practitioners.
Kids Brain Health Network is unique in terms of its combined focus on all three neurodevelopmental conditions:
CP, FASD and ASD. While the primary reason for conducting this pan-Canadian survey was to obtain information
to inform KBHN decision-making, other Canadian organizations and governments may also find the findings
useful in their own contexts. Acknowledging that certain external organizations may focus their mandate(s) on
only one, perhaps two neurodevelopmental conditions, we also separated the data into priorities for those affected
by CP, FASD and/or ASD. Finally, due to regional differences in Canada among provinces and territories in terms
of policies, resource allocation, programs, and service delivery, the data are separated by geography. It was not
feasible to create a summary table for geography, however, because of small numbers (less than 10 responses)
in some regions.
The full set of results provided in Appendices: E (results organized by stakeholder group), F (results organized
by geographic region), and G (results organized by perspectives of stakeholders affected by either FASD, CP
or ASD). These tables provide additional information beyond the summary tables in Appendix A, including the
number of total votes for all 44 needs alongside the data split by stakeholder group, geographic region, and

3.
Spring 2018 - Adddendum to 2017 Stakeholder Engagement Activity Report4
neurodevelopmental condition. The top 10 (shaded blue) and bottom 10 (shaded red) voted needs colour coded
for easy side-by-side comparison. For example, it will be easy to see where there is agreement among needs
considered to be ‘top ten’ among different stakeholders, regions, and neurodevelopmental conditions. Similarly,
it will be visually easy to see where there is disagreement or, divergence in priorities. The sample size n=656,
was not large enough to allow further splitting of the data, such as reporting votes by stakeholder type and
neurodevelopmental condition, geographic region and neurodevelopmental condition, or geographic region and
stakeholder type.
1.3.1 Summary of online survey findings5
5 We would like to gratefully acknowledge support provided from Jeannie Mackintosh, including review and preparation of the summary tables.
The first summary table (Table 2) contains the overall voted top 10 needs (n=656). The six shaded rows represent
those needs which are within the mandate of Kids Brain Health Network to address. The #1 priority has over 500
votes, priorities #2 and #3 can be grouped together since they have between 400-500 votes, and priorities #4, #5,
#6 have between 300-400 votes each. These top 6 needs include:
1) specialized in-depth training for educators (533 votes)
2) reduction/removal of barriers to diagnosis (446 votes)
3) more professionals working in the school system such as occupational therapists, physical therapists,
speech language therapists, etc. (410 votes)
4) non-categorical treatment for functional deficits (368 votes)
5) early diagnosis for targeted supports (364 votes)
6) more (efficient use of) resources (348 votes)
Areas of convergence, or, where stakeholder priorities appeared aligned (either voted within the top 10 or within
the bottom 10) across neurodevelopmental conditions and stakeholder types were identified, as well as areas of
divergence where the votes were most dissimilar. For any given need or challenge, it is important to be able to
identify the stakeholders who feel this is most important to address, even if their priorities do not necessarily align
with other stakeholders. This is because it helps KBHN and/or others who wish to address these needs through
further in-depth stakeholder engagement toward creating solutions, to be able to identify the different target
audiences to include. Areas of divergence can illuminate differences in priorities between neurodevelopmental
conditions, and stakeholders. For example, the priorities of researchers may be different than the priorities of
parents. A good strategy toward achieving impact can include first, the identification of the top needs overall,
which of these are within the mandate of the specific organization to address, choosing one (or more) of those
needs, and developing a plan. Planning necessarily includes the identification of broad and specific target
audiences (also referred to as stakeholders, customers, end users, clients, patients, etc.) for co-creation and
collaboration throughout solution-development and broader dissemination after the solution is ready to deploy.
Potential partner organizations can be identified after the articulation of target audiences, since partners will likely
have pre-existing relationships with end users as either customers (if it is an industry partner) or end-users/clients/
patients (such as governments and other organizations responsible for policies and decision-making regarding
the availability and quality of products and services; hospitals, schools and other service providers).
An example of how these tables can be used in this way is the following. Choosing the number one overall priority
which is within KBHN to address (see Appendix E, need #15), the need for specialized and in-depth training for
educators about neurodevelopmental conditions, the relevant stakeholder groups include: parents/self-advocates,
professionals within education, allied health care practitioners (psychologists, OT, PT, SLP, etc.), researchers and
policymakers. The only stakeholder group for which this does not apply, identified by the absence of blue shading
in the table, is health care practitioners (e.g. family physicians, psychiatrists, emergency physicians, etc.). These
stakeholder groups should necessarily be included in any projects intended to create solutions for this need.
Partners should necessarily be organizations (not individuals), and could include those that employ education
professionals (such as schools, school boards, colleges that train new educators), professional associations
for occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech-language pathology, and government organizations such as
Ministries of Education in each province and territory in Canada. The remaining needs and tables can be used
in the same manner for target audience identification (for both integrated knowledge translation and stakeholder
engagement, as well as dissemination).

4.
Spring 2018 - Adddendum to 2017 Stakeholder Engagement Activity Report5
1.3.2 A note on “Prevention”
This ‘note on prevention’ is added to the addendum to address informal feedback received from a few
stakeholders asking about the representation of “prevention” in the Spring 2017 report. These comments
advocated for more emphasis on prevention. We heard from one researcher after the report had been published
that there needs to be more focus on prevention of CP. Following is an explanation for the way issues relating
to prevention are represented (or not) in the report, based on correct procedures for conducting a study using
grounded theory methodology.
Grounded theory methodology requires that the findings from the study are grounded in the data; in other words,
if a finding cannot be supported by the data, it cannot be included. Correct methodology involves interviewing
stakeholders being careful not to ask leading questions. Furthermore, the 44 needs articulated in the Spring 2017
report are supported by data which indicated similar need(s) across all 3 neurodevelopmental conditions (FASD,
CP, ASD). The way that Theme 6, Focus Area 25 is characterized (e.g. “Need for broader societal awareness of
neurodevelopmental conditions…”) in the Spring 2017 report was meant to capture prevention within it, without
prevention being the focus. This is the correct characterization because the need for broader awareness was
expressed in relation to CP, FASD and ASD with a mention of prevention in relation to FASD only. This doesn’t
mean that prevention isn’t important for CP or ASD, but the data doesn’t support it. The questions were written
to elicit needs and challenges of stakeholders affected by CP, FASD and/or ASD; if the interview questions had
included a specific exploration of prevention there would have been more data to inform the representation of
prevention in the findings. However, that was not the purpose of the study. The purpose was to explore the needs
and challenges of those currently affected by CP, FASD and/or ASD in relation to quality of life for children/self-
advocates and families.
1.4 Recommendations
1.4.1 For Kids Brain Health Network
1. Use the information in this report for internal decision-making including resource allocation.
Rationale: By creating evidence-informed solutions based on the needs identified by policymakers,
practitioners and parents, it maximizes the potential for being able to create value for stakeholders which is
the path towards achieving impact on policy, practice and quality of life for individuals and families. Impact on
policy and practice with the ultimate goal of improving the lives of Canadians living with neurodevelopmental
conditions is what Kids Brain Health Network is aiming to achieve. The voting exercise reported in this
addendum helps to inform decision-making based on what are the most pressing needs of the 44 identified
in the Spring 2017 report.
1.4.2 For Kids Brain Health Network and potential partners
2. Use the information on stakeholder-identified priorities as the basis for initiating and/or maintaining
strategic partnerships for co-creation of evidence-informed solutions in a shorter timeline than what
would be possible alone.
Rationale: Organizations that have an interest and resources for addressing one or more of the 6 needs
that are within the top 10 and within the mandate of Kids Brain Health Network can help KBHN achieve its
strategic organizational objectives.
3. Focus on addressing the most highly voted needs first.
Rationale: while it is acknowledged that all 44 needs are important to address, the purpose of this
prioritization exercise was to help identify the greatest and most urgent. By working toward addressing the
top 6 needs (the shaded needs in Table 4) KBHN can maximize the potential for achieving impact(s) and
their magnitude.

5.
Spring 2018 - Adddendum to 2017 Stakeholder Engagement Activity Report6
1.4.3 For policymakers and other decision-makers
4. Use the information in this report to make decisions on policy revision(s) and resource allocation for
improvement of programs and services.
Rationale: the Spring 2017 report represents an evidence-based document that identifies 44 stakeholder
needs, while this addendum provides insight into the relative importance of each by stakeholder type,
geographic region, and neurodevelopmental condition. These various representations of the prioritization
data including the overall results can provide policymakers with insight into where allocation of resources can
achieve the greatest value for investment.
5. Consider the system and interrelated sub-system(s) implications that could result from policy, program
and practice changes during decision-making.
Rationale: many of the needs (including and beyond those captured within Theme 9 ‘Broader System &
Society’) require federal and provincial level changes that will involve creation of new, or revision of existing,
policies, programs and/or services. Changes made at Federal, provincial, organizational and program levels
constitute various levels of systems and sub-systems that could be involved and/or affected by responsive
solutions. By considering the systems and sub-systems that could be affected by decision-making (ideally, by
drawing a systems map) this can help Ministries, provinces, organizations, and individuals ensure seamless
implementation of solutions that are effective and avoid introducing new challenges throughout interrelated
systems and sub-systems.
1.5 Next Steps for Use of This Report
1.5.1 How KBHN has already used the information contained within this report
1. On Thursday October 5, 2017, Kids Brain Health Network’s KT Core presented and handed out printed
copies of the Spring 2017 report during an afternoon drop-in event for three Ministries in British Columbia:
Ministry of Child and Family Development (MCFD), Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Education. Policymakers
commented on the usefulness of the report because i) it contained information on stakeholder-identified needs,
and ii) all information (especially the list of government-funded stakeholder-needs reports from across Canada)
was consolidated conveniently in one document.
2. On Saturday October 11, 2017, in Montreal, Quebec, Kids Brain Health Network met with Canadian
Network for Child and Youth Rehabilitation (CN-CYR) which is a network of partners and members within the
Canadian Association of Paediatric Health Centres (CAPHC) interested in the delivery of child development and
rehabilitation services. The purpose of this initial meeting was to review the stakeholder-identified needs in this
report (preliminary results since the survey closed on October 31, 2017) and discuss which priorities the two
organizations could work together to address.
3. Kids Brain Health Network is currently in the process of searching for new, and matching current and/or
previous partner organizations, that could partner with us toward creating evidence-informed solutions for the top
(6) identified and prioritized needs that are within the mandate of Kids Brain Health Network (see needs that have
been shaded in Table 4).
1.5.2 Future uses of this addendum include:
1. Informing decisions regarding funding for KBHN year 9-10 applications for funding in response to the 2017
Request for Applications (RFA).
2. For strategic planning for KBHN toward maximizing potential impact that can be achieved, and in the most
effective and efficient manner.

7.
Spring 2018 - Adddendum to 2017 Stakeholder Engagement Activity Report8
Appendix A – Summary Data Tables
Table 1.
Grouping of ‘stakeholder type’ for data analysis
“Stakeholder
Type”
reported in
findings
Stakeholder type option(s) within the
survey
Additional detail
(informed by data entered into “other” text box
option in survey)
Parent
/ Self-
advocate
Parent of a child with either CP,
FASD, ASD; Self-advocate (adult);
self-advocate (teenager)
Includes some grandparents, caregivers,
sibling, and spouse of person(s) with
neurodevelopmental condition(s)
Education Elementary school teacher; High
school teacher; Educational
Assistant; Educator (pre-school)
School Principal(s) and superintendent were
classified as policymakers as well
Health
Practitioner
Family Physician; ER Physician;
Psychiatrist; Nurse
Also includes specialization of physicians
such as developmental pediatrician, medical
student, pediatrician
Allied Health Psychologist; Occupational
Therapist; Physical Therapist;
Speech Language Therapist; Social
Worker
Includes counselor/therapist, student
psychologist, neuropathologist, law
enforcement, school (+other) interventionists
Researcher University-based researcher
Policymaker Policymaker In cases where “policymaker” was
unchecked (because this option was added
later on in the data collection), responses
that included text entered in “other” that
suggested hat they were a policymaker such
as: managers, supervisors, directors, CEO,
department head, government organization;
were recoded as “policymaker”
Other There were 13 responses collected
before the addition of the question
about whether the person had
experience/knowledge of CP, FASD
or ASD (an amendment was sought
for this change to the survey, through
the ethics protocol approved by York
University’s REB)
While these data were not included in the
breakdown of CP, ASD, FASD, they were
included in the overall total priorities.

8.
Appendix ASpring 2018 - Adddendum to 2017 Stakeholder Engagement Activity Report9
Table 2.
The top 10 overall needs across Canada, as voted on, are the following (in order highest to
lowest) with rationale based on KBHN’s mandate
Rank
Theme Need / Focus Area
#totalvotes
Within
KBHN
mandate
to address
(yes / no)
Rationale
(KBHN seeks to have impact on policy
and practice toward improved QoL for
children/families, through partnerships
where possible)
1 4. Education 15. Specialized
in-depth training for
educators
533 Yes Practice improvement for better QoL
for child
2 1. Diagnosis 4. Reduction /
removal of barriers
to diagnosis
446 Yes Policy / practice changes to enable
early diagnosis
3 4. Education 19. More
professionals
working in the
school system (OT,
PT, etc.)
410 Yes Practice improvement for better QoL
for child
4 9. Broader
System &
Society
44. More equity in
funding for NDD
409 No We can influence policy on this if
there is an opportunity but doesn’t
align with 3 KBHN strategic priorities
5 7. Life Course
Perspective
38. Access to
lifetime supports for
lifelong condition
374 No This will improve QoL for children/
families over time, we can support
policy changes if and when
opportunity arises or work with
partners for whom it is their mandate
to address this
6/7 1. Diagnosis 2. Non-categorical
treatment for
functional deficits
368 Yes Practice improvement for better QoL
for child
6/7 7. Life Course
Perspective
37. Good
supportive housing
for independent
living
368 No Our focus is on children, this need is
for adults. We could partner with or
inform organizations with a mandate
to address this need.
8 1. Diagnosis 3. Early diagnosis
for targeted
supports
364 Yes Policy / practice changes to enable
early diagnosis and targeted
treatment(s)
9 2. Treatment 9. More (efficient
use of) resources
348 Yes Changes needed to practice/service
delivery, enabled by policy changes
so existing resources are used most
efficiently
10 7. Life Course
Perspective
35. Adults need
services, nothing
for seniors
326 No KBHN is focused on children, but
can partner with other organizations
(such as AgeWell NCE) with a
mandate to address this need

20.
Appendix BSpring 2018 - Adddendum to 2017 Stakeholder Engagement Activity Report21
Appendix B – The online survey (English original)
Prioritizing Needs for CP, FASD, ASD in Canada
Informed consent form
Date:
April 26, 2017
Study name:
Kids Brain Health Network (KBHN, formerly NeuroDevNet) Environmental Scan of Stakeholder Needs
Researchers:
Dr. Anneliese Poetz, 201 Kaneff Tower, 416.736.2100 x44310, apoetz@yorku.ca; Dr. David Phipps, Kaneff Tower
5th floor, 416.736.5813, dphipps@yorku.ca
Purpose of the Research:
Kids Brain Health Network (formerly NeuroDevNet) wishes to conduct an environmental scan with diverse
stakeholders in order to inform future research directions, based on the needs and challenges experienced by
parents of children with Cerebral Palsy, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorders. This
information will be collected from parents directly, as well as service providers/clinicians and policymakers who
are aware of the needs of families based on regular interactions through their work.
What You Will Be Asked to Do in the Research:
We would like to ask you to participate in an online survey to help us prioritize the 44 stakeholder needs that we
identified in the first phase of this project (qualitative interviews).
Risks and Discomforts:
We do not foresee any additional risks or discomfort from your participation in the research as your responses will
be anonymous. There are two questions asking you to identify 1) your province or territory of residence, and 2)
your category of occupation. This information is necessary to help us make sure we have a representative sample
regionally as well as occupationally.
Benefits of the Research and Benefits to You:
KBHN is well-positioned to make real changes for parents and children affected by neurodevelopmental disorders,
with its Federal, Provincial and local contacts and networks. By participating in this survey you will be helping
KBHN to make resource allocation decisions for future research and knowledge translation activities, based on
your insights, experience and knowledge. This will in turn help KBHN to maximize the potential usefulness (and
impact) of the projects being conducted by KBHN, to help improve the quality of life for children, parents and
families affected by Cerebral Palsy, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, and Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Voluntary Participation:
Your participation in the study is completely voluntary and you may choose to stop participating at any time.
Your decision not to volunteer will not influence the nature of the ongoing relationship you may have with the
researchers or study staff nature of your relationship with York University and/or KBHN NCE either now, or in the
future.
Withdrawal from the Study:
You can stop participating at any time, for any reason, if you so decide, by not completing the survey. Your
decision to stop participating, or to refuse to answer particular questions, will not affect your relationship with the
researchers, York University, or any other group associated with this project. Since the data are anonymous, it will
not be possible to withdraw your data after submitting your answers.
Confidentiality:
The researcher(s) acknowledge that the host of the online survey (e.g., REDCap) may automatically collect

21.
Appendix BSpring 2018 - Adddendum to 2017 Stakeholder Engagement Activity Report22
participant data without their knowledge (i.e., IP addresses.) Although this information may be provided or made
accessible to the researchers, it will not be used or saved without participant’s consent on the researchers
system. Further, “Because this project employs e-based collection techniques, data may be subject to access by
third parties as a result of various security legislation now in place in many countries and thus the confidentiality
and privacy of data cannot be guaranteed during web-based transmission. The data will be housed in Canada.
Only research staff and KBHN Headquarters personnel will have access to this information. The data will be
stored for 4 years, and will be destroyed after April 1, 2021. Confidentiality will be provided to the fullest extent
possible by law.
Questions About the Research?
If you have questions about the research in general or about your role in the study, please feel free to contact Dr.
Anneliese Poetz either by telephone at (416) 736-2100, extension 44310 or by e-mail (apoetz@yorku.ca) or Dr.
David Phipps by telephone (416) 736.5813 or by e-mail (dphipps@yorku.ca). This research has received ethics
review and approval by the Human Participants Review Sub-Committee, York University’s Ethics Review Board
and conforms to the standards of the Canadian Tri-Council Research Ethics guidelines. If you have any questions
about this process, or about your rights as a participant in the study, please contact the Sr. Manager & Policy
Advisor for the Office of Research Ethics, 5th Floor, Kaneff Tower, York University (telephone 416-736-5914 or
e-mail ore@yorku.ca).
Legal Rights and Signatures:
I consent to participate in Kids Brain Health Network Environmental Scan of Stakeholder Needs conducted by
Anneliese Poetz and David Phipps. I have understood the nature of this project and wish to participate. I am not
waiving any of my legal rights by participating in this survey. By filling in and submitting the survey I am indicating
my consent to participate.

23.
Appendix BSpring 2018 - Adddendum to 2017 Stakeholder Engagement Activity Report24
The following 44 items are “focus areas” representing the needs of persons whose lives have been
directly or indirectly affected by Cerebral Palsy, Autism Spectrum Disorders and/or Fetal Alcohol
Spectrum Disorders. While all of these needs are important to address, we can’t work on all of them so
need your help to prioritize what should be worked on first.
Pretend you have been given 14 “stickers” to vote with. You can vote with 1 sticker on 14 different items,
or put all 14 on one item if you feel very strongly about it, or any combination in between.
Please enter the number corresponding to the # of VIRTUAL STICKERS you would like to vote with,
beside each item you think should be priorities for KBHN to work on.
PLEASE BE CAREFUL NOT TO EXCEED 14 VOTES.
If you do, we will unfortunately have to exclude your response from the analysis, for data quality
purposes. Here is an example for how to use your 14 “votes”: if you feel strongly about “need specialized
training for healthcare professionals” you may place a “5” beside that item, indicating you are using 5
“stickers” for that item. In this case, you would have 9 stickers left to vote with. You may choose to use
up “1” sticker for 9 more priorities, so then you would enter a “1” beside each of those 9 (for a total of 14
“stickers” or “votes”). Please verify the number of votes you have used totals 14, before clicking submit.
When you are finished, click the “submit” button at the bottom of the page.
 1) Need specialized training for healthcare professionals so that observations of parents will be
recognized, and will ensure early diagnosis and treatment.
 2) Need non-categorical treatment for the child needed as soon as possible without the barrier of a
lack of diagnosis getting in the way of being able to address functional deficits.
 3) Need (early) diagnosis so that targeted and specific supports can be obtained for what they need
(in schools, getting services/supports, etc.). Non-categorical treatment does not allow matching of
treatment to diagnosis for best outcome for the child.
 4) Need reduction or removal of barriers to obtaining diagnosis such as: limited training for frontline
health care (GPs); access to skilled diagnostic professionals, waiting lists, financial (out of pocket
costs) for private diagnostic assessment, geography including rural/remote locations.
 5) Need context-specific, timely and convenient access to treatment, centralized services with experts.
Wait times, criteria for treatment eligibility (e.g. age, IQ) exclude those in need.
 6) Need clear, consistent, effective communication among service professionals, to relieve this burden
from parents. Need for coordination of communication among organizations; services.
 7) Need non-judgmental approach by frontline workers to parents. There is heterogeneity among
parents to (accept diagnosis and) receive interventions, and judging them as either not motivated
enough or too motivated because they want to do everything causes undue stress to parents.
 8) Need access to a menu of evidence-based treatment options with information about what each of
them does, and fluidity of the system(s) of treatment delivery to allow access to families/individuals
when needed for as long as it is needed. Need information on what evidence-based treatment is, and
what is gold standard. Parents need help figuring out what’s important to prioritize, can’t do everything.
 9) Need more resources allocated (financial/resource constraints of the system as well as parents)
plus more efficient use of existing resources within programs and larger system to maximize benefit to
the child/family.
 10) Need case managers who can coordinate communication among professionals and who can
advocate for what the child needs, so parents don’t have to do it all (case management involves a
high volume of work). Acknowledge additional challenges in managing complex care, which further
emphasizes the need for a case manager to help the family. Ideally this person also needs to understand
the specific neurodevelopmental condition of the child/individual.
 11) Need for consistent service, especially in situations where there is high staff turnover. Can mitigate
high turnover rates with full-time well paid positions with good benefits.
 12) Need to allow family members to be employed/subsidized as support worker for the child, as an option.

24.
Appendix BSpring 2018 - Adddendum to 2017 Stakeholder Engagement Activity Report25
 13) Need coordinated and integrated ‘wrap around care’ for the child.
 14) Need to identify, acknowledge, and create workaround for aspects of the physical and social
environment that can help or hinder the child’s success in school.
 15) Need specialized and in-depth, mandatory training for teachers, EAs, resource teachers, principal,
anyone who interacts with children in schools in terms of approaches for children who have a
neurodevelopmental condition. Includes need for knowledge, attitudinal and cultural training for all
service providers (e.g. how to work with children/youth/adults with neurodevelopmental conditions,
as well as how to work with different cultures, ethnicities and other groups of populations including
indigenous communities).
 16) Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) are created but not used. Child needs to be allowed to
self-advocate, if they are able, for what they need in school to be successful (don’t assume the teacher
will remember everything in IEP). At the same time, can’t put all responsibility on the child. All affects
child mental health and potential for success.
 17) Child needs to be able to fit in with their peers at school.
 18) There is a need for parental concerns to be heard and acted upon appropriately by teachers, EAs,
principals and without barriers imposed by unions, when it comes to being able to implement parental
advice/strategies for helping the child to be at their best. Parents need help from school to explore
alternate solutions such as scaling back classes in high school with a scheduled work period, or an
extra year in high school with co-op placements that suit the child’s strengths.
 19) Need for (more) professionals working within the school system (e.g. nurses, educational
assistants, those delivering interventions such as physical therapy, ABA, etc.) with appropriate training
to work with children with neurodevelopmental conditions.
 20) Need additional specialized in-depth training in neurodevelopmental conditions for GPs, nurses, ER
doctors, nurses, administrative staff, dentists, etc. Includes need for knowledge, attitudinal and cultural
safety training for all health professionals and service providers (e.g. how to work with children/youth/
adults with neurodevelopmental conditions, as well as how to work with different cultures, ethnicities and
other groups of populations including indigenous communities).
 21) Need smoother management of complex cases, easier access to specialty equipment, services.
 22) Need timely access to psychiatrist for child/youth with neurodevelopmental conditions in order to
prevent self-medication with alcohol and/or illegal drugs and involvement with justice/police systems.
 23) Need coordinated supports and protocols for neurodevelopmental condition(s) as a medical
condition, similar to what is available for other medical conditions (e.g. diabetes, heart disease, cancer,
etc.)
 24) Need support(s) for parent mental health such as: self-care, support workers, respite, socializing
with others who understand their situation, parent support groups which can also help address issues of
isolation and stress on the marriage.
 25) Need for broader societal awareness of neurodevelopmental conditions, acceptance of
neurodiversity, toward reducing stigma. Encourage inclusion by finding what the child is good at and
giving them opportunities to contribute using their interests, strengths and natural abilities.
 26) Need to treat siblings as equally and fairly as possible, paying attention to the mental and
emotional health and quality of life for neurotypical siblings.
 27) Need social skills/behavioural training, and strategies for self-regulation of emotions/anxiety for the
child with the neurodevelopmental condition.
 28) Need more financial control for families & a system coordinator to help access services.
 29) Need equity in terms of financial cost and access/availability of inclusive recreational programs for
children. Place(s) to go to find purpose, enjoyment, physical fitness and socialization.
 30) Child needs purpose/meaning (in school, later in life in their employment) and needs day programs
or other activities for adults who do not fit into work environment.

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Appendix BSpring 2018 - Adddendum to 2017 Stakeholder Engagement Activity Report26
 31) Need to acknowledge safety issues in terms of: child’s difficulty managing emotions (can lead to
physical aggression, self-medicating with drugs/alcohol); parents’ lack of sleep which can result in
medication errors, automobile and other accidents, etc.
 32) Need to identify and address sleep issues in children with neurodevelopmental conditions which
affect daytime behaviours of the child and parental sleep/stress.
 33) Interventions and services need to be tailored to children (not based on adult mental health
service model) with neurodevelopmental conditions (treatments for neurotypical children might not
work)
 34) Need supports for being successful in education at all levels, and to maximize the chances for
individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions to obtain meaningful employment.
 35) Adults need services to maximize their potential throughout the life course, especially if they
missed the window of services during childhood. There are very few options for adults to obtain
diagnosis and/or treatment or services of any kind. There is nothing for seniors.
 36) Need continuity in services at key times/transition points during the life course, and need assistance
filling out forms needed to be able to access resources (including funding programs for adults with
disabilities) during transition periods. Find ways to provide continuity in services for those with ongoing
medical needs (this is often lost during transition from child to adult doctors).
 37) Need (good) supportive housing for youth/adults to be able to live as independently as possible
(some need more supports than others to maximize independence).
 38) Need societal and system acknowledgement that this is a lifelong condition by providing access
to supports that last a lifetime/don’t disappear at a certain age. This includes associated child mental
health care and mental health condition(s) that could evolve over time.
 39) Need culturally specific services developed by and for a particular cultural group, offered in native
language and appropriate adaptations to interventions to suit a particular culture.
 40) Need innovative means for delivering and monitoring services and intervention delivery in remote/
rural regions (e.g. tele-health).
 41) Need to identify and understand regional differences among provinces/territories (policies/services
offered), rural vs urban, remote/northern regions including what works and doesn’t work in each.
 42) Need timely access to new research knowledge for informing policies, best practices, and
services.
 43) Need more flexibility in policies guiding programs, so that changes based on experiential
knowledge can also be implemented to better serve clients (e.g. even small changes such as allowing
text message reminders from practitioners to clients about upcoming appointments).
 44) Need for more equity in funding for different neurodevelopmental conditions. In some cases, CP
supports/services seem to be well-funded, ASD appears to also be well-funded but FASD remains
under-serviced/under-funded in comparison.

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Appendix DSpring 2018 - Adddendum to 2017 Stakeholder Engagement Activity Report33
Appendix D – The online survey (plain language)
Prioritizing Needs for CP, FASD, ASD in Canada_Plain
Informed Consent Form
Date:
April 26, 2017
Study Name:
Kids Brain Health Network (KBHN, formerly NeuroDevNet) Environmental Scan of Stakeholder Needs
Researchers:
Dr. Anneliese Poetz, 201 Kaneff Tower, 416.736.2100 x44310, apoetz@yorku.ca;
Dr. David Phipps, Kaneff Tower 5th floor, 416.736.5813, dphipps@yorku.ca
Purpose of the Research:
Kids Brain Health Network (formerly NeuroDevNet) wishes to conduct an environmental scan with diverse
stakeholders (A stakeholder is someone who has an interest or a concern about this) in order to inform future
research directions, based on the needs and challenges experienced by parents of children with Cerebral
Palsy, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorders (these will be called Neurodevelopmental
conditions in the survey). This information will be collected from parents directly, as well as service providers/
clinicians and policymakers who are aware of the needs of families based on regular interactions through their
work.
What You Will Be Asked to Do in the Research:
We would like to ask you to participate in an online survey to help us prioritize the 44 stakeholder needs that we
identified in the first phase of this project talking to people using the same interview questions, and listening for
what are the things that are similar among all of the people we talked to. What we found out was that there were
44 things that everyone thought were “needs” based on their life experiences).
Risks and Discomforts:
We do not foresee any additional risks or discomfort from your participation in the research as your responses
will be anonymous (no one will know what you answered). There are two questions asking you to identify 1) your
province or territory of residence, and 2) your category of occupation (what you do for your job). This information
is necessary to help us make sure we have a representative sample regionally as well as occupationally.
Benefits of the Research and Benefits to You:
KBHN is well-positioned to make real changes for parents and children affected by neurodevelopmental
disorders, with its Federal, Provincial and local contacts and networks. By participating in this survey you will
be helping KBHN to make resource allocation decisions for future research and knowledge translation activities
(taking this research and passing it on to the people/organizations who can put it to use), based on your insights,
experience and knowledge. This will in turn help KBHN to maximize the potential usefulness (and impact) of the
projects being conducted by KBHN, to help improve the quality of life for children, parents and families affected by
Cerebral Palsy, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, and Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Voluntary Participation:
Your participation in the study is completely voluntary and you may choose to stop participating at any time.
Your decision not to volunteer will not influence the nature of the ongoing relationship you may have with the
researchers or study staff, nature of your relationship with York University and/or KBHN NCE either now, or in the
future.
Withdrawal from the Study:
You can stop participating at any time, for any reason, if you so decide, by not completing the survey. Your
decision to stop participating, or to refuse to answer particular questions, will not affect your relationship with the

33.
Appendix DSpring 2018 - Adddendum to 2017 Stakeholder Engagement Activity Report34
researchers, York University, or any other group associated with this project. Since the data are anonymous, it will
not be possible to withdraw your data after submitting your answers.
Confidentiality:
The researcher(s) acknowledge that the host of the online survey (e.g., REDCap) may automatically collect
participant data without their knowledge (i.e., IP addresses.) Although this information may be provided or made
accessible to the researchers, it will not be used or saved without participant’s consent on the researcher’s
system. Sometimes when people fill in online surveys, the information that you enter may be seen by others,
because when you enter information into an online survey it has to be sent from your computer to the internet.
The ability of others to see the data you enter, or your IP address (for example) depends on things like the
way the survey software works, the security of your internet connection, the laws in your region, etc. and these
things are beyond our control. The data will be housed in Canada. Only research staff and KBHN Headquarters
personnel will have access to this information. The data will be stored for 4 years, and will be destroyed after April
1, 2021. Confidentiality will be provided to the fullest extent possible by law.
Questions About the Research?
If you have questions about the research in general or about your role in the study, please feel free to contact Dr.
Anneliese Poetz either by telephone at (416) 736-2100, extension 44310 or by e-mail (apoetz@yorku.ca) or Dr.
David Phipps by telephone (416) 736.5813 or by e-mail (dphipps@yorku.ca). This research has received ethics
review and approval by the Human Participants Review Sub-Committee, York University’s Ethics Review Board
and conforms to the standards of the Canadian Tri-Council Research Ethics guidelines. If you have any questions
about this process, or about your rights as a participant in the study, please contact the Sr. Manager & Policy
Advisor for the Office of Research Ethics, 5th Floor, Kaneff Tower, York University (telephone 416-736-5914 or
e-mail ore@yorku.ca).
Legal Rights and Signatures:
I consent to participate in Kids Brain Health Network Environmental Scan of Stakeholder Needs conducted by
Anneliese Poetz and David Phipps. I have understood the nature of this project and wish to participate. I am not
waiving any of my legal rights by participating in this survey. By filling in and submitting the survey I am indicating
my consent to participate.
1) Please let us know which region you are located in (so that we can do our best to ensure equal representation
across Canada):
 Alberta
 British Columbia
 Manitoba
 New Brunswick
 Newfoundland and Labrador
 Northwest Territories
 Nova Scotia
 Nunavut
 Ontario
 Prince Edward Island
 Quebec
 Saskatchewan
 Yukon

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Appendix DSpring 2018 - Adddendum to 2017 Stakeholder Engagement Activity Report35
2) Please let us know which stakeholder group you represent (check all that apply) (A stakeholder is someone
who is directly or indirectly affected, and/or has an interest or a concern about this):
 Parent of a child with either CP, FASD,
ASD
 Self-advocate (adult)
 Self-advocate (teenager)
 Elementary school teacher
 High school teacher
 Educational Assistant
 Early Childhood Educator (pre-school)
 Family Physician
 ER Physician
 Psychiatrist
 Nurse
 Psychologist
 Occupational Therapist
 Physical Therapist
 Speech Language Therapist
 University-based researcher
 Social worker
 Frontline worker delivering interventions
to children/youth with CP, ASD, FASD
 Other (please specify in box below)
 Policymaker
 Other (please specify):
3) I work with and/or have experience with (check all that apply):
 Cerebral Palsy
 Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
 Autism Spectrum Disorders
There are 44 ideas that are “focus areas” about the needs of persons whose lives have been affected
by Cerebral Palsy, Autism Spectrum Disorders and/or Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders; (referred to as
“neurodevelopmental conditions”) including family , friends and professionals. All of these “focus areas”
are important to look in to, but we can’t work on all of them so we need your help figuring out what is
most important to work on first.
Pretend you have been given 14 “stickers” to vote with. You can vote with 1 sticker on 14 different items,
or (for example) 5 stickers on 2 and 4 stickers on another, or any other combination you like which equals
14 stickers. You can’t go over 14 stickers/votes. You can even put all 14 on one item if you feel very
strongly about it. Please enter the number STICKERS/votes you would like to vote beside each idea/focus
item you think should be what Kids Brain Health Network should work on first.
PLEASE BE CAREFUL NOT TO EXCEED 14 VOTES. If you do, unfortunately your survey will not be
counted.
Please count the number of votes you have used before clicking submit. Make sure it equals 14. When
you are finished, click the “submit” button at the bottom of the page.
 1) Healthcare professionals need focused training to recognize how and what parents are seeing (like
symptoms, movements and behaviors) to help with early diagnosis and treatment.
 2) We need treatment for the children that do not fit into a specific category or diagnosis. Just
because a child does not have a diagnosis this should not prevent starting the process of getting the
supports they need to help them be able to do the things they need and want to do.
 3) We need early diagnosis so that children can receive the specific help they need in school/receiving
services/support etc. There are some treatments that work best with a specific diagnosis, so when
treatment isn’t diagnosis specific children don’t get the best outcome.